The REAL Star Wars

Interesting hearing on Capitol Hill the other day on the continuing growth in generals and admirals relative to the number of troops they command. A picture — or at least a graf — is sometimes worth 1,000 words, so check out this one from the independent, non-partisan Project on Government Oversight:

Top Pentagon generals and admirals explained the growth in their ranks relative to the number of grunts commanded is because of changes in law requiring officers to hold joint assignments — outside of their own services, the need to have as many stars on their shoulders as allied comrades, and the requirement for more combat leaders since 9/11. There are 964 flag and general officers in uniform today, compared to 1,017 at the end of the Cold War. At the same time, the military’s total size has dropped by 600,000, a much deeper cut.